Spring Home Checklist

Fur clings to upholstery because of static electricity. Spray furniture with an anti-static spray, put on a pair of rubber cloves lightly dampened with water and rub down the fabric.  Remove hair clumps from the gloves with a moist paper towel. 

The plastic plates that surround electrical outlets and light switches often become cracked. This is an easy piece to replace, but you need to be careful because you're working near electricity.

First, switch off the electricity to the light switch or outlet at the main fuse box. Make sure that electricity doesn't reach the outlet or light switch by testing it. On a light switch, make sure that flipping the switch doesn't turn on the light. Plug something into the outlet and make sure that it won't turn on.

Once you've made sure no electricity is flowing, remove the screws that are holding the plate in place. Replace the old plate with the new one. Reattach the plate using the screws provided with it. Finally, turn the electricity back on.